Electrically operated automatic can opener



y 2, 1955 s. w. CHAMBERS 2,712,689

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED AUTOMATIC CAN OPENER Filed Sept. 28, 1954 J27 YE .27. 1 27.? 36017230 21 ()wMBer:

United States Patent ELEC'I'RICALLY OPERATED AUTOMATIC CAN OPENER Stanley W. Chambers, Lander, Wyo. Application September 28, 1954, Serial No. 458,847 Claims. 01. 30-4 This invention relates to an electrically operated automatic can opener for punching apertures in the top of a container to provide means for emptying the liquid contents thereof.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a rugged and reliable electrically operated can opening apparatus which is designed to provide a powerful can opening leverage.

It is a further important object of the present invention to provide an electrically operated can opener which is automatically actuated by proper positioning of a container in relation thereto.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved automatic can opening device which automatically executes an opening stroke and thereafter is automatically retracted to its initial position.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view can opening apparatus according to the present invention with portions of the apparatus broken away and in section to better illustrate the construction of the device and showing the apparatus in its initial condition prior to complete insertion of a container into the apparatus;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the structure of Figure I with portions broken away and in section; and

Figure 3 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating the apparatus in its actuated condition.

As shown on the drawings:

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be observed that the automatic can opening device of the present invention comprises a base 19 which may be secured to any suitable structure such as a table for mounting the device in a generally upright orientation. The base is provided with a container guide rail 11 which at its inner portion may be contoured to conform to the diameter of a can such as indicated in dash outline at 12 to precisely position the container in the receiving space therefor. The frame work of the device further includes an upright column 13 and a generally horizontal upper deck plate 14 mounted in spaced relation above the base 10.

For providing the driving force for punching apertures in the container, a lever 16 is pivotally mounted at one end to fulcrum members 17 by means of a pivot shaft 18. At its opposite end, the lever 16 is pivotally connected to a link 20 which in turn is connected with a vertically reciprocal armature 21 of a solenoid 22 mounted on the base 10 behind the column 13. The lever 16 has depending cars 24 and 25 pivotally carrying punch members 26 and 27 which are guided for vertical movement into the container receiving space of the device by means of apertures 29 and 30 in the deck of an automatic plate 14. The punch members 26 and 27 are mounted effective to pivot the lever its initial position until the 2,712,689 Patented July 12, 1955 by the lever 16 in close relation to the fulcrum 17 so as to provide a substantial leverage advantage in driving the punch members into the top of the container.

For automatic actuation of the solenoid 22 upon proper positioning of a container such as 12 in the receiving space, a sensing arm 32 is provided having a downturned end 33 for engagement by the edge of the container 12 as the container is inserted into the receiving space. Movement of the container to proper position shifts the downturned end 33 in the elongated slot 34 of deck plate 14 so that the rear end or" the sensing member 32 pivots a mercury switch 36 about a pivot 37 to close an energizing circuit to the solenoid 22. As seen in Figure 1, the sensing member 32 is guided by means of a pair of posts 40 and 41 having vertical slots constraining the sensing member 32 against lateral movement. The mercury switch 36 is pivotally carried by means of a further post 43 and has an extension arm 44 for engagement with the end of the sensing member 32.

As seen in Figure 3, upon completion of a downward stroke of the lever 16, a depending abutment 46 carried by the lever engages the sensing member 32 and moves it straight downwardly in the slots in posts 40 and 41.

angular position shown in Figure 1 to deenergize the solenoid. Thereupon a compression spring 50 confined between the deck plate 14 and the lever 16 is upwardly to retract the punch members 26 and 27 from the container. When the lever has reached its upper position, the container may be removed from the device. Removal of the container allows a tension spring 53 diagonally connected between post 40 and sensing member 32 to shift the sensing member horizontally and then upwardly to its initial position shown in Figure 1. The solenoid is thus automatically energized and deenergized to execute a complete opening cycle each time a container is properly positioned in the receiving space.

The operation of the can opener will now be readily apparent. As a container 12 is moved into the position shown in dotted outline in Figure 3, the edge thereof engages a downturned end 33 of a sensing member Y32 and shifts the sensing member horizontally to actuate a mercury switch 36. Actuation of this switch energizes the solenoid 22 to move the lever 16 downwardly about its pivot 18 and drive the punches 26 and 27 into the top of the container. Upon completion of the downward stroke of the lever 16, the abutment 46 moves the sensing arm 32 to a lower position shown in Figure 3 to the container 12 may be removed. Diagonal spring 53 lift sensing member 32 to opened container has been removed at the end of an opening cycle.

It will be apparent that many modifications and variations may be elfected Without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus for opening containers, a frame providing a container rec iving space, a fulcrum carried by said frame adjacent said receiving space, a lever pivotally secured at one end to said fulcrum and extending across said receiving space, a pair of punch members disposed adjacent said space and mounted for movement into and out of said space to puncture spaced apertures in a container disposed in said space, electrically operated solenoid means engaging the other end of said lever for driving said lever about said fulcrum, and said lever having means closer to said fulcrum than to the other end thereof for engaging said punch members to drive the same into said receiving space upon energization' of said solenoid means.

2. In an apparatus for opening contmners, a frame providing a container receiving space, a fulcrum carried by said frame adjacent said receiving space, a lever pivotally secured at one end to said fulcrum and extending across said receiving space, a pair of'punch members disposed adjacent said space mounted for movement into and out of said space to puncture spaced apertures in a container disposed in said space, electrically operated solenoid means engaging the other end of said lever for driving said lever about said fulcrum and said lever having means closer to said fulcrum than to the otherend thereof for engaging said punch members to drive the same into said receiving space upon energization of said solenoid means, said Punch members being pivotally connected to said lever adjacent said fulcrum, and said frame providing a plate extending across said space and having apertures guiding the movement of said punch members.

3. In an apparatus for opening containers, 2, frame providing a container receiving space, a fulcrum carried by said frame above said receiving space, a lever pivotally secured at one end of said fulcrum and extending above said receiving space, a pair of punch members disposed above said space mounted for vertical movement into and out of said space to puncture spaced apertures in a container disposed in said space, electrically operated solenoid means engaging the other end of said lever for driving said lever downwardly about said fulcrum, and said lever having means closer to said fulcrum than to the other end thereof for engaging said punch members to drive the same downwardly into said receiving space upon energization of said solenoid means, an electric switch, a sensing arm operatively associated with said switch and projecting into said receiving space for engagement by a container to actuate said switch, said solenoid means being controlled by said switch for automatic energization of said solenoid means upon insertion of a container in proper position in said space, and means for automatically deenergizing said solenoid means upon completion of a work stroke by said lever.

4. In an apparatus vfor opening containers, a frame providing a base, an upright column, and an upper deck "plate extending in spaced relation to said base; and defining with said base a container receiving space, a sole noid having a generally vertically reciprocal armature therein disposed on the opposite side of said column from said receiving space, a fulcrum carried, by said deck plate at the outer end of said. receiving space, an operating lever pivotally carried at one end by said fulcrum and pivotally connected at the other end to said armature for downward pivotal movement, a pair of punch members depending from said lever in close relation to said fulcrum and pivotally connected to said lever, said a upper deck plate having apertures for guiding vertical movement of said punch members into and out of said and underneath said punch the top of a container in gization thereof, a generally L-snaped sensing arm hat orientation upon completion 50 space upon pivotal movement of said lever, spring means between said lever and said deck plate for urging said lever to upper position with said punch members retracted from said space, guide means carried by said base for positioning a container in said receiving space means being operative to drive the punch members into the top of a container in said receiving space upon energization thereof.

5. In an apparatus for opening containers, a frame providing a base, an upright column, and an upper deck 'plate extending in spaced relation; to said base and defining with said base a container receiving space, a soleacid having a generally vertically reciprocal armature therein disposed on the opposite side of said column from said receiving space, a fulcrum carried by said deck plate at the outer end of said receiving space, an operating lever pivotally carried at one end by said, fulcrum and pivotally connected at the other end to said armature for downward pivotal movement, a pair of punch members depending from said lever in close relation to said fulcrum and pivotally connected to said lever, said upper deck plate having apertures for. guiding, vertical movement of said punch members into and out of said space upon pivotal. movement of said lever, spring means between said lever and saidvdeck plate for urging said lever to upper position with, said punch members retracted, from said space, guide means carried by said base for positioning a container in said receiving space and. underneath said punch members, and said solenoid means being operative to drive the punch members into said receiving space upon enering a downturned end extending through a slot in the, deck plate and projecting into said receiving space for engagement with a container inserted into said space for longitudinal shifting of said member as a container is inserted into said space, a mercury switch controlling, cnergization, of said solenoid means and pivotally carried by said deck plate, said switch having an extension; arm. engageable with said sensing member for pivoting, of said mercury switch by longitudinal shifting of said. sensing arm to energize said solenoid means, an abutment carried by said lever for engaging said sensing member and moving the same downwardly to accommo date shifting of said mercury switch back to initial. of a punching stroke of said iever, and diagonally disposed spring. means for urging said sensing member horizonally away from said mercury switch and upwardly to restore said sensing member to its initial position upon removal of an opened container from the receiving space. i

No references cited.

members, and said solenoid 

